Men's and Women's T&F Teams Grab Day Two LeadSFA combines for seven All-SLC honors, three titles and one record Saturday

Adam Saloom wins steeplechase title at SLC Championships.

May 11, 2013

The Stephen F. Austin men's and women's track and field team wrapped up the second day of competition at the 2013 Southland Conference Championships in first place. The Ladyjacks will take an 11-point lead over Sam Houston State, 51-40, while the SFA men will take a 73-59 advantage over McNeese State into Sunday's final day of competition from Lake Charles, La.

SFA combined to win three individual titles, and record seven All-Southland performances Saturday. The 'Jacks finished the day with two titles, and four all-conference honorees, while the SFA women ended the day with a title and three All-SLC recognitions.

The SFA multi-event athletes got SFA out to a strong start on both the men's and women's side. Sophomore Cody Rhodes posted a score of 6,881 points to finish second overall and pick up the first all-conference honor of the day. Junior Jamal Davis just missed all-league honors with his fourth-place finish (6,320 points). Sophomore John Park also finished strong scoring two points for the 'Jacks in the team standings with his seventh-place finish (5,923 points).

The Ladyjacks placed two athletes in the top eight of the heptathlon, with junior Shambrail Woods leading the way. The 2013 SLC Indoor Newcomer of the Year scored 4,795 points to record a runner-up finish. Freshman Brianna Dawson recorded an eighth-place finish (3,784 points).

Although the multis gave the SFA men and women a quick start to the day, it was the throwers that scored some big points. Less than 24 hours after winning the men's hammer throw competition, senior Jon Arthur was back in the circle Saturday eyeing another title. Just like Friday, Arthur won the title with a school record toss. Arthur's record throw of 63-8.75 secured his second title in as many days, has him currently ranked third nationally and will place him among the individual scoring leaders with still one more event remaining.

Sophomore La'Tricia Griffin completed the SFA sweep of the shot put when she stepped in the throwing circle. She recorded a throw of 50-3.25 on her fourth toss of the afternoon to clinch the title.

The 'Jacks had three other athletes in the finals of the shot put, while the Ladyjacks added a second thrower. Sophomore Derek Calvert finished fourth overall with a throw of 50-6.00, while classmate Adam Amaya finished sixth (46-5.25), and Lucas Akin grabbed the last spot in the finals (46-0.50). Freshman Jessica Spelling finished eighth on the women's side with her throw of 41-10.75.

Senior Adam Saloom added the team's third individual title of the day when he clocked a time of 9:00.60 to win the men's steeplechase. Senior Xavier Rodriguez was seventh in the event with his time of 9:28.24.

Junior Jamal Peden just missed an individual title in the long jump when he recorded a mark of 24-5.50 to finish second overall. Freshman DeAndre Burns added a jump of 23-2.75 to place sixth.

The Ladyjacks closed out the day with three runners packed into the steeplechase's top five. Junior Laurie Byrd led the trio, and earned All-Southland honors with her time of 10:57.26. Freshman Shelby Pesek was fourth overall with a time of 11:20.94, just outkicking classmate Katrina Fite (11:20.98).

SFA returns to action Sunday for the final day of action at the conference outdoor championships. Field events are slated to begin at 10 a.m., while the track events will take place at 3 p.m.